Better competitiveness through new masses and dimensions for heavy goods vehicles

Better competitiveness through new masses and dimensions for heavy goods vehicles

Under a government decree issued on 6 June, Finland's logistic competitiveness will be improved by raising the maximum permissible masses and dimensions of heavy goods vehicles and vehicle combinations.

The decree will enter into force on 1 October 2013.

The purpose of this reform is to improve Finland's competitiveness and reduce transport costs to a level closer to that of continental Europe. Due to long distances, transport costs in Finland are higher than in many other countries. According to the Finnish Transport Agency, the reform will be likely to save approximately EUR 1.6 - 3.2 billion in logistics costs over a period of 20 years.

Carbon dioxide emissions from traffic are estimated to reduce by around two per cent annually.

The maximum permitted height of a vehicle will increase from 4.2 metres to 4.4 metres and mass from 60 tonnes to 76 tonnes. During the five-year transition period, current vehicles will be allowed to carry heavier loads than presently. The precondition for this is, however, that the vehicles fulfil the safety requirements applicable to them also when carrying larger masses.